Coming up next is 1945's "Don't Fence Me In", starring Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, Dale Evans, and Trigger. The film is about a reporter who wants to get the story on outlaw Wildcat Kelly (long presumed dead, but many people believe it wasn't his body they buried). Wildcat turns out to be alive, and somebody really does want him dead. The question is: who?
The beautiful scenery of Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, California, provide the setting for the story. The supporting players include Robert Livingston, Moroni Olsen, Marc Lawrence, Lucile Gleason, Paul Harvey, Tom London, and Trigger.
The story begins when reporter Toni Ames (Dale Evans) is sent by her newspaper to get the truth on Wildcat Kelly. She visits his grave and believes he really is dead, until she meets Gabby, a friend of Wildcat's. "Yes, sir. He was a rootin', tootin', six-gun shootin', ring-tailed buckaroo," said Gabby.
Toni tries to sneak up to Roy Rogers' ranch in the back of a stage coach. Roy sees her and locks her in the caboose with a block of Limburger cheese. He races the coach over unpaved roads, bouncing Toni all over the place. She gets her revenge, though, by pushing him in the ranch swimming pool.
It turns out the Gabby is indeed Wildcat Kelly, but has given up his life of crime. However, somebody wants him dead and takes a shot at him. Roy gets the idea to give him a fake funeral to draw out whoever took the shot.
Gabby has a terrible time "lying in state". He has a terrible allergic reaction to the flowers, and nearly gives himself away by sneezing several times. Roy Rogers' group, the Sons of the Pioneers, sing the cowboy lament "I'm Headin' For The Last Roundup".
It's a funny scene, and the song by the Sons of the Pioneers is definitely worth a listen.
Of course, Roy and Dale get the true outlaw and all's well that ends well. The film ends with the singing of the title song, Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In", which Roy had debuted a year earlier in the film Hollywood Canteen. It's sung a little differently here, but is no less good.
The finale is very well done. Roy and Dale are onstage to sing "Don't Fence Me In".
Roy disappears, the barn doors open, and Roy and Trigger are shown riding across a wide open field towards the barn.
A few seconds later, Roy and Trigger come bursting through the barn doors in dramatic fashion.
Trigger even smiles for the camera to finish the film out.
The finale is definitely worth watching. It's fun, and you'll be singing the song for days. Cast rundown:
Roy Rogers..........................................Roy Rogers
George "Gabby" Hayes..........................Gabby (Wildcat Kelly)
Paul Harvey.........................................Gov. Thomas
Tom London.........................................Sheriff Ben Duncan
Trigger.................................................Trigger That's all for Don't Fence Me In. If you would like to comment, please remember our posting rules.
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